Norsemen revamp linebackers

Thursday

Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of articles concerning preparations for preseason football workouts at Northeastern A&M College. The Golden Norsemen are scheduled to report Aug. 7.

Although two returning sophomore provides the catalyst for the Northeastern A&M linebacking corps, Golden Norse defensive coordinator Travis Rhatigan started a major reconstruction project during spring drills.

“We have two players coming back that lettered last season at linebacker,” Golden Norse head coach Rob Green said. “They both saw considerable action and have the intelligence and ability to be impact players.”

Bates recorded 17 unassisted tackles and 16 assists in six games as a freshman. He made two quarterback sacks for minus -4 yards and one tackle behind the line of scrimmage for minus -1 yard with one pass deflection.

Jones, who also started at cornerback in several games, led the Southwest Junior College

Football Conference with 10 quarterback sacks for minus -67 yards. He ranked third in the conference with 48 solo tackles and 33 assists while also making three tackles behind the line for minus -24 yards and four pass deflections.

Former Miami High School graduate Logan Zabel (6-3, 210) is still recovering from an injury he suffered after appearing in two games last season. Zabel received a medical redshirt after recording 14 solo tackles and eight assists in two games.